Not everyone starts out as a great gardener. Of course, you have to enjoy the outdoors and get your hands dirty, but it is also important to educate yourself, like Elizabeth More.
Maureen, a resident of Cheshire, is a graduate of the New York Botanical Vocational School and a 30-year additional gardener and Hartford senior gardener for Hartford City. She is a longtime member of the Connecticut Horticultural Association of Cheshire Suburban Garden.
Since many horticultural philosophies have changed over the years, Morein warns that what he has learned may not last. The old adage, “Plant a 50-cent plant in a five-dollar pot” was a reminder to gardeners that they need to add compost and other improvements before planting. According to Maureen, the new philosophy is to dig a wide hole and not worry about improvements, because when these are exhausted or the roots are struggling to adapt to the good, the plant will not adapt properly.
The same can be said of planting trees. According to Maureen, it is better to dig a hole that is “wider than the depth” than the old way of digging a hole twice. After placing the tree in the well, Morin then filled half of the well with water, filling the rest of the way. Another change in approach to planting is about time.
“Spring is just beginning. Memorial Day was a thumbs up. Now it is the beginning of May. ”
In general, spring and autumn are the best times to plant when the nights are cool and the days are warm, so plants can absorb their energy into their root systems.
That lasts for weeds. “Stay awake,” Maureen said. “Keep Your Eyes on the Prize” She points to frequent walks in the garden. If the weeds are small, take a long-stemmed hoe and scrape it. When the weeds are overgrown, Moore pulls them by the hand, puts them upside down to dry the roots and leave them in the garden.
“If they are bad weeds, don’t discourage them,” she said.
In general, weeds dry out quickly if they are hot and sunny, but weeds are certainly easy to grow after it rains.
Some of the most common mistakes in home gardening are “jumping too fast, buying too much and putting plants in the wrong place,” says Morein. It pays for research, advice and planning.
Maureen provides home advice. I want to help homeowners “buy the right plant for the right place.” She goes to a courtyard with her husband and offers ideas for plants and placement. It makes it easier for the landlord if they plant themselves or use a contractor.
“I even go to the nursery with clients to pick plants,” she said.